I would imagine that the doctor you're seeing for the PH test will tell you how long to be off PPI's. It ranges from 7-10 days, but I have heard of some docs who let patients remain on the meds for the test. That is not the experience for most.

I just did mine this last week. I had to be off of my PPI for a week prior, also could not take even Tums.... I think this was the WORST week of my whole life!!!!! I forgot how miserable I was before I got on them! I will give you a hint that was given to me at the end of my week! I was having a heck of a time finding something to eat that would not set me off. Plain pasta!!!! Luckily I love pasta, so that was ok! Oh, the other suggestion was a plain potato. No butter on either one.

Interesting note on this test......... The lady that inserted it was super nice and very gentle. She warned me that most people that have this test done find they do not suffer from acid as much as they have in the week prior. I thought she was crazy. Well, let me tell you, I didn't have hardly any acid all day!!! It would start but then go away just as fast! But, I think a lot of it is that we are so irritated already with the wire.

The day of the actual test, my Dr asked me to try to eat as normal as I could without putting myself in too much pain. I will warn you, take small bites while you have this wire!!! I was informed by my Dr that it didn't matter what the test came back with, I was still going to need surgery. His actual tests were the endoscopy and then having me go off of my PPI for a week. This test and the barium swallow were more for the insurance company. REALLY????

Welcome to Healing Well! Did you also have a manometry in preparation for surgery? It measures the strength and coordination of your swallowing, and can help the surgeon determine what type of wrap to do.

I don't know how your selected your surgeon, but be sure that he/she is not only a great surgeon, but very, very experienced in the Nissen procedure. In a small city an experienced surgeon should have 300+ surgeries under his belt, and in a large city it should be 1000+. Choosing the right surgeon (and if it's the right surgeon, he/she will be sure that you are good candidate for the surgery through required testing) will be the best insurance that you have a positive outcome. It is the most important thing of all!

I'm so glad you've joined us. Thanks for sharing your experience with the PH monitor.

What is the manometry? I had a barium swallow test....is that it??? I have now had the endoscopy, the 24 ph monitor, and the barium swallow. Is there more that we need to do??? Gosh, I sure hope not.... But I will do them to make sure all is done!! Thanks Denise!

I have a suggestion...why not start a new thread all your own. You could entitle it something like "Need Information about Nissen Surgery". Just go to the link at the top of the page that says >GERD-Heartburn> and it will take you to the main page. At the top of that page you can click the "New Thread" button, and you're set to go. That way you will be able to ask and receive answers from many members who've had the surgery already.

I found this forum when I was getting ready to go forward with my surgery. Members here (many are no longer posting) really helped me a lot, and gave me the courage and information I needed to go forward with it.

A manometry is a test that provides a lot of information. It not only watches the swallowing (like the Barium Swallow) but it also measures the pressure as you swallow, so it can let the surgeon know how strong your swallowing reflex is. If it is strong, then you can do well with a full wrap. If it's weak, a partial wrap will be better for you. Some people get a full wrap when they would have done better with a partial--that's when swallowing issues can occur.

Nobody wants a Manometry, but it's a very useful test. I've had two, and I'm still here! It's well worth the effort.

Take it easy with your surgeon...if he's ready to rush you into surgery, be sure to ask lots of questions. The tests are not just for the insurance. They provide an experienced Nissen surgery with the information they need to create a wrap that will work for you. If you're not the right patient, and a Nissen won't help you, the tests should help determine that. If a Nissen is done on something who is not a good candidate it can cause more problems than it solves.

I'm not trying to make you nervous or worried. I had the surgery two and a half years ago and it helped me tremendously. It's just that these pre-surgery investigations (both on the surgeon's part and yours) will ensure that you will have a wonderful outcome.

It would be great if you were able to provide some background about your reflux issues, as well as your surgeon's preparations for your surgery.

This forum is great. People who've had experience with the surgery and recovery can provide you with lots of support. They can provide you with information that surgeons don't have...what it's actually like to go through the surgery and recover afterwards!

Again, I'm very glad you've found us. Think about starting your own thread so you can be the focus of the posts.

I had my manometry test yesterday and am carrying around the PH monitor today. The manometry wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't a nightmare. I think a lot of it has to do with the technician, and the one I had was very gentle and encouraging. She did say at one point, "Your esophagus doesn't seem to have much oomph!"

My biggest concern with this whole testing process is how much damage is being done to my esophagus by being off the PPO for 8 days now, with one more to go. I have a large hiatal hernia and my acid reflux has already damaged my esophagus. I have Barrett's. I am feeling, and recording on the device, just awful acid reflux, and I keep thinking that this is eroding my esophagus even more.

No matter what the outcome, I will be glad when the testing process is over, so I can go forward.